President Aquino updates Filipinos in Cambodia about positive developments in the country
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday shared some good news about the Philippines with the Filipino community here.
Among them included the increased infrastructure developments, improved rice production, more sitios in the country having electric power.
President Aquino had a chance to meet and speak before more than 1,000 Filipinos working and living here. His meeting with the Filipino community concluded his visit to this country.
The President was here for the two-day 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and the 45th founding anniversary celebration of the 10-member regional grouping.
Before he gave them the good news under his almost two-year watch, the President addressed first the concerns relayed to him by Margie Gomez, representative of the Filipino community here.
Those concerns include the expiration of benefits for failing to return to the Philippine after two years, the long processing of their working papers.
"Ang pangako po ng POEA, tinitingnan po nila ang mga alituntunin, ‘yung mga patakaran, binabawasan ‘yung hindi kailangan na mga hakbang para naman po mapabilis ‘yung pagpo-proseso," President Aquino said.
"At ito ang pangako nila, magbabago na ang mga patakaran para mabawasan nga ‘yung red tape by the second quarter of this year," he said, adding that the POEA will also establish an online processing service within the year.
"Doon naman po sa benefits na mawawala kung hindi tayo makauwi in two years, ang sabi po nila sa akin, pwede pong ma-renew sa Pilipinas kung sino man hong authorized representative," he added.
During his speech before the Filipinos, President Aquino cited a number of good news that happened under his watch. He noted the 15,000 classrooms built last year and the expected construction of 35,000 more classrooms this year.
"Meron tayong papasukan na private-public partnership, meron rin mga donation sa madaling salita, 15,000 last year, 35,000 this year, 50,000 na," he said.
The President said that the country will achieve rice sufficiency by 2013. He also noted the electrification of the more than 1,500 sitios in the country and promised to provide electricity to the remaining sitios that are currently without electric power.
He also cited the increased confidence of the international community in the Philippines, and the stock market's remarkable performance, noting the stock market index posted record highs 21 times.
The President was accompanied in the event by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel Roxas, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Mindanao Development Authority chair Lualhati Antonino and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. (PCOO)
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PNoy extends zero percent duty on BoI-registered imported articles
President Benigno S. Aquino III has extended the zero tariff on capital equipment, spare parts and accessories imported by Board of Investments (BoI)-registered new and expanding enterprises located within the economic zones and freeports, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Thursday.
Ochoa said President Aquino signed Executive Order (EO) No. 70 on March 29, 2012 to reduce the rates of duty on certain articles spelled out in EO No. 528 issued in 2006, on recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority.
“The effectivity of EO No. 528 is only for five years, from 2006 or until the enactment of a law amending EO No. 226, or the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987, which aims to facilitate investment in the country through a cohesive and consolidated investments incentives law. But a law enacted to amend EO No. 226 has yet to be enacted,” the Ochoa said.
According to Ochoa, the zero percent duty will be extended for the next five years and will be in effect 30 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation, or upon enactment of a law amending EO No. 226.
The Executive Secretary explained that the presidential directive will help ease the cost of importing capital equipment by investors for their start-up operations and project expansion in the Philippines.
“There is a need to continue providing this incentive because allowing zero percent duty importation will make our country more competitive in its efforts to lure investors amid the progressively competitive Asian market for foreign direct investments today,” Ochoa said.
Based on EO No. 70, the zero percent duty shall be granted to BoI-registered new and expanding enterprises on articles or equipment classified under specific chapters of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines upon the issuance of a certificate of authority by BoI.
The presidential directive maintained that the zero percent duty shall only be applied on articles or equipment that not are manufactured domestically in sufficient quantity, of comparable quality and at reasonable prices, and are reasonably needed and will be used exclusively by the project in its registered activity.
It also prohibits the selling, transfer or disposal of the articles exempted from duty without prior approval of the BoI within five years from the date of its importation. Violators will be fined twice the amount of the duty foregone or P500,000, whichever is higher, without prejudice to other applicable penalties under EO No. 226. (PCOO)
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Aquino appoints five new judges to lower courts
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed five new judges to the lower courts in Makati City, a Palace official announced on Wednesday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday that one of the new judges appointed by the Chief Executive was Judge Andres B. Soriano to the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148.
Soriano earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1983 and was admitted to the Bar in 1984.
Prior to his appointment, Soriano served as judge of Malolos (Bulacan) Regional Trial Court since 1998. He taught at the Bulacan State University Marcelo H. del Pilar School of Law from 2002 to 2004 and at the San Beda College of Law from 2006 up to the present.
The other presidential appointees are as follows:
-Judge Ronald B. Moreno was named as the presiding judge of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 147. He graduated Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1995 and was admitted to the Bar in 1996.
He served as Ombudsman Prosecutor from 2002 to 2003 and 3rd Assistant City Prosecutor in 2003 to 2007. He also worked as presiding judge of the Makati Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) Branch 64 from 2007 and as Executive Judge since 2009 until his appointment.
-Judge Liza Marie R. Picardal-Tecson has been appointed by the President to the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 144. She obtained her law degree from the University of San Carlos in 1996 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. She worked at the Starlite Shipping Agency from 1996 to 1997; Makati Regional Trial Court Branch Clerk of Court from 1999 to 2006 and Hagonoy (Bulacan) Judge of Municipal Trial Court from 2006 until her appointment.
-Judge Ethel V. Mercado-Gutay was named as the presiding judge of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 137. She graduated her Bachelor of Laws from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1998 and was admitted to the Bar in 1999. She worked as Assisting Judge of Bacoor (Cavite) Municipal Trial Court in 2008, then as Acting Presiding Judge from 2008 to 2010 and as Acting Presiding Judge of the Muntinlupa Metropolitan Trial Court from 2010 until her appointment.
-Judge Bonifacio S. Pascua has been appointed to the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 56. He graduated Bachelor of Laws from the Far Eastern University in 1995 and was admitted to the Bar in 1999. He worked as Court Legal Researcher I of the Pasay Municipal Trial Court from 1997 to 1999; Clerk of Court V of the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court from 1999 to 2005 and State Prosecutor II at the Department of Justice from 2005 to 2006. Before his appointment, he served as presiding judge of the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court from 2006. (PCOO)
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Aquino arrives from successful visit to Cambodia
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the Filipino people to emulate and live by the sacrifices of the Lord Jesus Christ by enriching concern for others and the spirit of volunteerism that is innate among them.
In his speech following his arrival at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, on Wednesday evening from a successful attendance to the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders summit in Cambodia, the Chief Executive encouraged the citizenry to help one another towards the realization of the government’s goal of an inclusive and sustainable progress for all.
“Hinihimok ko po ang lahat: tayo man ay nasa bakasyunan, o nagngingilin para sa Mahal na Araw, lagi po sana nating tumbasan at isabuhay ang wagas na sakripisyo ng Poong-Maykapal, at huwag nating kaligtaan na mag-alay ng tulong at malasakit para sa Diyos, sa kapwa, at sa bansa,” the President stressed.
“Patuloy lang po tayong magbayanihan, at sigurado pong darating ang makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating bayan,” he added.
The President also said that among the relevant topics discussed during the summit include concerns on the Spratlys islands, disaster management and rice sufficiency.
“Kasama po ang mga pinuno mula sa siyam na bansa, tinalakay namin ang mga paksang may malaking implikasyon, hindi lamang sa kaunlaran ng bawat bansang kasapi ng ASEAN, kundi lalo na sa kahandaan ng buong Timog-Silangang Asya na harapin ang mga pagsubok na maaaring dumating. Dahil sa mga mungkahi nating nakatutok sa pagpapatibay sa relasyon natin sa ating mga karatig-bansa, muli nating ipinabatid ang kakayahan nating makipag-bayanihan para sa malawakang kaunlaran at pangmatagalang kapayapaan,” the President said.
“Dito mismo nagbubukal ang prinsipyo kung bakit muli nating idiniin ang ating paninindigan na kilalanin at higit pang pagtibayin ang 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Mulat po tayong, maliban sa malaking impluwensya ng Tsina sa ilang mga bansang kinapulong natin, apat din po sa mga bansang miyembro ng ASEAN ay umaangkin din sa Spratlys,” he said.
President Aquino bared the regional bloc’s concerted efforts to come up with an efficient disaster risk reduction and management to save lives and properties in times of calamity.
“Nakipag-diyalogo din po tayo patungkol sa Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, upang higit na mapabuti ang kooperasyon at bayanihan ng buong Timog-Silangang Asya tuwing may banta ng sakuna. Inaasahan nating sa tuluyang pag-usad ng ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management, mas magiging maagap, mas handa at mas epektibo nating matutugunan ang anumang posibilidad ng trahedya, upang mas tiyak din nating mailalayo sa peligro ang buhay at ari-arian ng mga Pilipino,” the President said.
“Makabuluhan din ang kasunduang nabuo para sa isang rice reserve mechanism, na pag-iimpukan ng bigas ng mga bansang kasapi ng ASEAN, na maaari nilang pagkunan ng bigas sakaling sila ay magkaroon ng rice shortage. Patunay ang mga ito sa aktibo nating pakikilahok para pangalagaan ang interes at estabilidad, hindi lamang ng Pilipinas, kundi maging ng buong rehiyon,” he noted.
Present to welcome the President were members of his cabinet that include Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Public Works and Highways Secretary Regelio Singson, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Higher Education Secretary Patricia Licuanan and Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang.
Also in attendance were Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Jesse Dellosa, Philippine National Police Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, among others.
The President and his delegation onboard a chartered Challenger 850 jet touched down at the tarmac of the Villamor military Airbase at 9:15 pm. (PCOO)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday shared some good news about the Philippines with the Filipino community here.
Among them included the increased infrastructure developments, improved rice production, more sitios in the country having electric power.
President Aquino had a chance to meet and speak before more than 1,000 Filipinos working and living here. His meeting with the Filipino community concluded his visit to this country.
The President was here for the two-day 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and the 45th founding anniversary celebration of the 10-member regional grouping.
Before he gave them the good news under his almost two-year watch, the President addressed first the concerns relayed to him by Margie Gomez, representative of the Filipino community here.
Those concerns include the expiration of benefits for failing to return to the Philippine after two years, the long processing of their working papers.
"Ang pangako po ng POEA, tinitingnan po nila ang mga alituntunin, ‘yung mga patakaran, binabawasan ‘yung hindi kailangan na mga hakbang para naman po mapabilis ‘yung pagpo-proseso," President Aquino said.
"At ito ang pangako nila, magbabago na ang mga patakaran para mabawasan nga ‘yung red tape by the second quarter of this year," he said, adding that the POEA will also establish an online processing service within the year.
"Doon naman po sa benefits na mawawala kung hindi tayo makauwi in two years, ang sabi po nila sa akin, pwede pong ma-renew sa Pilipinas kung sino man hong authorized representative," he added.
During his speech before the Filipinos, President Aquino cited a number of good news that happened under his watch. He noted the 15,000 classrooms built last year and the expected construction of 35,000 more classrooms this year.
"Meron tayong papasukan na private-public partnership, meron rin mga donation sa madaling salita, 15,000 last year, 35,000 this year, 50,000 na," he said.
The President said that the country will achieve rice sufficiency by 2013. He also noted the electrification of the more than 1,500 sitios in the country and promised to provide electricity to the remaining sitios that are currently without electric power.
He also cited the increased confidence of the international community in the Philippines, and the stock market's remarkable performance, noting the stock market index posted record highs 21 times.
The President was accompanied in the event by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel Roxas, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Mindanao Development Authority chair Lualhati Antonino and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. (PCOO)
.
PNoy extends zero percent duty on BoI-registered imported articles
President Benigno S. Aquino III has extended the zero tariff on capital equipment, spare parts and accessories imported by Board of Investments (BoI)-registered new and expanding enterprises located within the economic zones and freeports, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Thursday.
Ochoa said President Aquino signed Executive Order (EO) No. 70 on March 29, 2012 to reduce the rates of duty on certain articles spelled out in EO No. 528 issued in 2006, on recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority.
“The effectivity of EO No. 528 is only for five years, from 2006 or until the enactment of a law amending EO No. 226, or the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987, which aims to facilitate investment in the country through a cohesive and consolidated investments incentives law. But a law enacted to amend EO No. 226 has yet to be enacted,” the Ochoa said.
According to Ochoa, the zero percent duty will be extended for the next five years and will be in effect 30 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation, or upon enactment of a law amending EO No. 226.
The Executive Secretary explained that the presidential directive will help ease the cost of importing capital equipment by investors for their start-up operations and project expansion in the Philippines.
“There is a need to continue providing this incentive because allowing zero percent duty importation will make our country more competitive in its efforts to lure investors amid the progressively competitive Asian market for foreign direct investments today,” Ochoa said.
Based on EO No. 70, the zero percent duty shall be granted to BoI-registered new and expanding enterprises on articles or equipment classified under specific chapters of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines upon the issuance of a certificate of authority by BoI.
The presidential directive maintained that the zero percent duty shall only be applied on articles or equipment that not are manufactured domestically in sufficient quantity, of comparable quality and at reasonable prices, and are reasonably needed and will be used exclusively by the project in its registered activity.
It also prohibits the selling, transfer or disposal of the articles exempted from duty without prior approval of the BoI within five years from the date of its importation. Violators will be fined twice the amount of the duty foregone or P500,000, whichever is higher, without prejudice to other applicable penalties under EO No. 226. (PCOO)
.
Aquino appoints five new judges to lower courts
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed five new judges to the lower courts in Makati City, a Palace official announced on Wednesday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday that one of the new judges appointed by the Chief Executive was Judge Andres B. Soriano to the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148.
Soriano earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1983 and was admitted to the Bar in 1984.
Prior to his appointment, Soriano served as judge of Malolos (Bulacan) Regional Trial Court since 1998. He taught at the Bulacan State University Marcelo H. del Pilar School of Law from 2002 to 2004 and at the San Beda College of Law from 2006 up to the present.
The other presidential appointees are as follows:
-Judge Ronald B. Moreno was named as the presiding judge of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 147. He graduated Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1995 and was admitted to the Bar in 1996.
He served as Ombudsman Prosecutor from 2002 to 2003 and 3rd Assistant City Prosecutor in 2003 to 2007. He also worked as presiding judge of the Makati Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) Branch 64 from 2007 and as Executive Judge since 2009 until his appointment.
-Judge Liza Marie R. Picardal-Tecson has been appointed by the President to the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 144. She obtained her law degree from the University of San Carlos in 1996 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. She worked at the Starlite Shipping Agency from 1996 to 1997; Makati Regional Trial Court Branch Clerk of Court from 1999 to 2006 and Hagonoy (Bulacan) Judge of Municipal Trial Court from 2006 until her appointment.
-Judge Ethel V. Mercado-Gutay was named as the presiding judge of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 137. She graduated her Bachelor of Laws from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1998 and was admitted to the Bar in 1999. She worked as Assisting Judge of Bacoor (Cavite) Municipal Trial Court in 2008, then as Acting Presiding Judge from 2008 to 2010 and as Acting Presiding Judge of the Muntinlupa Metropolitan Trial Court from 2010 until her appointment.
-Judge Bonifacio S. Pascua has been appointed to the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 56. He graduated Bachelor of Laws from the Far Eastern University in 1995 and was admitted to the Bar in 1999. He worked as Court Legal Researcher I of the Pasay Municipal Trial Court from 1997 to 1999; Clerk of Court V of the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court from 1999 to 2005 and State Prosecutor II at the Department of Justice from 2005 to 2006. Before his appointment, he served as presiding judge of the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court from 2006. (PCOO)
.
Aquino arrives from successful visit to Cambodia
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the Filipino people to emulate and live by the sacrifices of the Lord Jesus Christ by enriching concern for others and the spirit of volunteerism that is innate among them.
In his speech following his arrival at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, on Wednesday evening from a successful attendance to the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders summit in Cambodia, the Chief Executive encouraged the citizenry to help one another towards the realization of the government’s goal of an inclusive and sustainable progress for all.
“Hinihimok ko po ang lahat: tayo man ay nasa bakasyunan, o nagngingilin para sa Mahal na Araw, lagi po sana nating tumbasan at isabuhay ang wagas na sakripisyo ng Poong-Maykapal, at huwag nating kaligtaan na mag-alay ng tulong at malasakit para sa Diyos, sa kapwa, at sa bansa,” the President stressed.
“Patuloy lang po tayong magbayanihan, at sigurado pong darating ang makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating bayan,” he added.
The President also said that among the relevant topics discussed during the summit include concerns on the Spratlys islands, disaster management and rice sufficiency.
“Kasama po ang mga pinuno mula sa siyam na bansa, tinalakay namin ang mga paksang may malaking implikasyon, hindi lamang sa kaunlaran ng bawat bansang kasapi ng ASEAN, kundi lalo na sa kahandaan ng buong Timog-Silangang Asya na harapin ang mga pagsubok na maaaring dumating. Dahil sa mga mungkahi nating nakatutok sa pagpapatibay sa relasyon natin sa ating mga karatig-bansa, muli nating ipinabatid ang kakayahan nating makipag-bayanihan para sa malawakang kaunlaran at pangmatagalang kapayapaan,” the President said.
“Dito mismo nagbubukal ang prinsipyo kung bakit muli nating idiniin ang ating paninindigan na kilalanin at higit pang pagtibayin ang 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Mulat po tayong, maliban sa malaking impluwensya ng Tsina sa ilang mga bansang kinapulong natin, apat din po sa mga bansang miyembro ng ASEAN ay umaangkin din sa Spratlys,” he said.
President Aquino bared the regional bloc’s concerted efforts to come up with an efficient disaster risk reduction and management to save lives and properties in times of calamity.
“Nakipag-diyalogo din po tayo patungkol sa Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, upang higit na mapabuti ang kooperasyon at bayanihan ng buong Timog-Silangang Asya tuwing may banta ng sakuna. Inaasahan nating sa tuluyang pag-usad ng ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management, mas magiging maagap, mas handa at mas epektibo nating matutugunan ang anumang posibilidad ng trahedya, upang mas tiyak din nating mailalayo sa peligro ang buhay at ari-arian ng mga Pilipino,” the President said.
“Makabuluhan din ang kasunduang nabuo para sa isang rice reserve mechanism, na pag-iimpukan ng bigas ng mga bansang kasapi ng ASEAN, na maaari nilang pagkunan ng bigas sakaling sila ay magkaroon ng rice shortage. Patunay ang mga ito sa aktibo nating pakikilahok para pangalagaan ang interes at estabilidad, hindi lamang ng Pilipinas, kundi maging ng buong rehiyon,” he noted.
Present to welcome the President were members of his cabinet that include Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Public Works and Highways Secretary Regelio Singson, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Higher Education Secretary Patricia Licuanan and Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang.
Also in attendance were Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Jesse Dellosa, Philippine National Police Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, among others.
The President and his delegation onboard a chartered Challenger 850 jet touched down at the tarmac of the Villamor military Airbase at 9:15 pm. (PCOO)
